Donald Trump suggested that Iran should bomb Los Angeles and San Diego.

Posted by The Parnas Perspective, Oct 6, 2026Checked Nov 2, 2026

Polygraph verdictMixed

Sources: 5 contradict2 support1 context
Said: 1 time·
Confidence: 60%

The Parnas PerspectiveOct 6, 2026

Trump did say at a Nebraska rally on Oct. 5, 2026, "Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego," in the context of the Iran war, and fact-checkers confirm the words are accurately attributed.

A detail. The sources confirm the gist; the verdict faults a detail such as a date, number or wording.

What we found

Contradicts. Trump, the White House, and commentators say he was describing the threat if Iran obtained a nuclear weapon and was not inviting an attack; Trump wrote that he was comparing a temporary gas-price increase with the bombing of major cities.[1][2][5][6]

Contradicts. A Washington Post opinion piece and a USA Today column conclude that Trump did not invite Iran to bomb the cities, and the USA Today piece says the full context shows he was discussing gas prices and Iran's nuclear threat.[4][6]

Supports. Snopes rates the quote 'Correct Attribution': Trump said "Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego" at the Nebraska rally on Oct. 5, 2026.[2]

Supports. Reuters and ABC7 report that Trump said Iran "could take out a city" and named Los Angeles and San Diego, and that critics read this as suggesting an attack on those cities.[3][7]

Context. Snopes notes that many people, including Democratic politicians and pundits, interpreted the remark as saying the destruction of the two cities would be a small price to pay, a reading the White House disputes.[2][8]